Wednesday, September 17, 2008

SONU NIGAM CONCERT - RAFI RESURRECTED

MEDIA RELEASE :

Sonu Niigaam ConcertAn evening in London-Rafi Resurrected

This Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 8.00 pmExclusively on Sony Entertainment Television

Mumbai, September 16, 2008: Mohammed Rafi, one of the immortal playback legends of the Indian Music history came back to life… recently at the London Coliseum, when singer Sonu Niigaam, representing India’s premiere Record label Saregama India Limited joined hands on stage with the orchestral excellence of CBSO (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra) to pay tribute to the ever-green singer! What followed was an outstanding and timeless concert, the Sonu Niigam Concert— An evening in London—Rafi Resurrected.

It is 28 years since Rafi passed away leaving millions of his fans with his evergreen melodies to cherish and remember. Through this concert, brought to you by Sony Entertainment Television this Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 8.00 pm, you can relive the glory of the great Mohammed Rafi.

The concert is Sonu Niigaam’s tribute to the legendary singer. It is said that Sonu who started his singing career with Rafi songs (he is also considered to come closest to the singing style of the legendary singer) has always said that though he never got to meet Rafisaab, his music and life has influenced him profoundly. Said Sonu; “My album Rafi Resurrected, which has been released in Europe and shortly to be released in India, will be my tribute to this wonderful, ever smiling, versatile, humble, spiritual and simple hearted guru. All that I have learnt and executed since then… has come a full circle with Rafi Resurrected”.

Niigaam, who is regarded as heir to Rafi’s singing style (he first performed a Rafi song on stage, with his father at the age of three!), opens the concert with a silent tribute to the master. While Niigaam was applauded for his performance, the response that he got for the songs demonstrated Rafisaab’s popularity even today. Slightly bemused but unmistakably excited to be fronting a 75-piece orchestra, Sonu waved fondly to his fans between verses and songs.

Speaking on his favorite rendition, the singer said, “Kya hua tera vaada… is my first song I sang professionally at the age of 3, thus it is closest to my heart. But “Tum jo mil gaye ho… is my all time favorite song, my pick of the lot. It’s also due to the orchestral grandeur of the music director, the late Madan Mohan.”

The highlights of the concert include the magical Dil Ke Jharoke Mein… from the film Bramachari and the sublime duet Mujhe Teri Mohabbat Ka Sahara… one of the several numbers on which Niigaam was joined by singer Gunjan. The grand climax was the resounding song An Evening in Paris… changed to An Evening in London… to aptly honor the occasion.

Stay tuned to Sony Entertainment Television this Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 8.00 pm to enjoy this nostalgic evening with the Sonu Niigam Concert—An evening in London—Rafi Resurrected.

About Sony Entertainment Television:

Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) backs Multi Screen Media Private Limited, which is among the region's leading television channel operators. It comprises of Sony Entertainment Television (SET), one of India’s leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; MAX, India’s premium movies and special events channel, SAB; a Hindi channel focusing on entertaining modern India; PIX, a channel which airs Hollywood movie product.

Since its launch in October 1995, SET has created significant marquee properties through an impressive lineup of programs ranging from the light hearted to the supernatural, exploring various genres complimented by an explosive mix of glamorous events and Bollywood blockbusters. Known for its innovative concepts and exciting formats, SET reaches more than 42 million households in India. Additionally, SET is available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives and Malaysia. In total, SET influences over 300 million viewers in the Indian sub-continent, the Middle East and South Asian Diaspora worldwide.

With his chocolate boy looks, a voice to die for and a smile that makes women swoon… Sonu Niigaam is undoubtedly the closest pop icon the country has witnessed. This renowned and respected playback singer is not only a music sensation in India but his fan following spreads across the globe. The king of Indi-pop boasts of the kind of looks, talent, stamina and hits that many other singers would die for. However fame has not changed the simple Sonu and even today the singer remains grounded to his roots.

His father and mentor, Agam Kumar Nigam, a popular singer in North India, exposed Sonu to music in the early days of his life. He made his debut on stage at the age of 3 with the song “Kya hua tera vaada” sung by none other than the legendary singer Mohd. Rafi himself. His keen interest and love for singing in his formative years had young Sonu compete and win various music competitions. His determination to make it big as a singer led him to tinsel town Mumbai in search of a career in music. Like any other struggler, he too had his share of trials and tribulations and accepted every singing assignment that came his way. Even if it were just cover versions of popular songs of late Mohammad Rafi, late Mukesh, Manna Day and others to keep his passion for singing alive.

It was his original rendition, the song “Accha Sila Diya” that made Sonu a chart topper and since then there has been no looking back for him. His hard work was recognised by the industry through awards and accolades for hit songs in films like Border, Refugee, Taal, Pukar and Saathiya…and more. While rising to success in playback singing he also achieved astounding popularity and recognition with his first album Kismet that went platinum on sales and later was backed with his next hit album Mausam. Sonu has been bestowed with 3 Filmfare Awards, 3 Zee Cine Awards, 3 IIFA and 3 Star Screen for excellence in playback singing till date.

Besides singing, Sonu has tried his hand at acting in films like Kaash Aap Hamare Hote and Love in Nepal. He has also hosted a popular music reality show and judged Indian Idol 1 & 2. Even though Sonu has juggled and switched between playing different roles of a playback singer, an actor and a pop star… he admits it is playback singing that has made him a household name!

Saregama India Limited

Saregama India Ltd, formerly known as The Gramophone Company of India Ltd., is a professionally managed entertainment company listed on the NSE and BSE. It is rapidly transforming into an entertainment company from being India's largest and best-known music company with a library of over 25000 hours of the best South Asian music. The Company has been intimately associated with the development of Indian music from the time the first recording was made on Indian soil. Saregama owns the largest music archives in India, one of the biggest in the world. It is now an emerging player in quality cinema, TV software, radio content, events and digital exploitation.